About Us

Our Story

The Empty Bowls Naples organization enlists the creative talents of local potters, artists, educators, students and volunteers to create handcrafted and painted bowls which help to serve up a fun, social event to raise money and awareness in the fight against hunger.

The Empty Bowls event held each January in Cambier Park supports the communities efforts to feed the nearly 40,000 people in Collier County who are food insecure, which means they may not know where their next meal is coming from.

Event attendees select a handcrafted bowl, enjoy soups from over 50 local restaurants and clubs, delight in the entertainment of local performers, are encouraged to participate in a silent auction, pottery sale and paint-a-bowl event which all goes to supporting hunger in our community.

As the needs have grown, during the 12th year of the event, the program will initiate a grant program which will directly help the hungry in our community.

Help us help our community...Support the event today!

Finding Ways to Support Our Community

These local residents saw a need in their community and became involved in an event that has changed the way the community responds to the hunger needs of our community. Take the time to become involved or make a donation today!

Betsy Dawson

Event Chair

Betsy Dawson was one of the original parents that were enlisted by Donna Torrance to help start the first event. When Betsy saw the needs of the community, she began to spread the word and encourage others to become involved.

Donna Torrance

Artist & Teacher

When one of her students told her about an Empty Bowls event that they had attended in another area, Donna Torrance loved the idea of using her students creations as a way of giving back to the community, so she enlisted the help of parents and students to start the Empty Bowls Naples Event at Barron Collier High School. It has since grown to become a community event.

Judi Nicholson

Resident Artist

On a day to paint with friends, Judi Nicholson found herself enlisted as an artist to help paint bowls to help those in need. Her artistic talents have moved her into the roll of resident artist at Empty Bowls Naples. She uses her talents to teach others about brush strokes, paints and finishing pieces when volunteers come to paint at a paint party event.